Charity event raises funds for Edinburgh homelessness cause.
Thousands of pounds were raised at a community event in Edinburgh recently. The event allowed the opportunity for stories to be shared, some generous donations and a thoughtfully prepared meal.
Surgeons Quarter has always had charity at its heart, but as homelessness reaches crisis levels across Scotland, the team felt compelled to do more.
The Supper Soirée, held at Surgeons Quarter’s Prince Philip Building, was a collaboration. Hospitality provider Surgeons Quarter and homelessness charity Cyrenians. It was a one-night-only event with lasting impact which helped to raise over £18,000.
Around 90 guests attended and they enjoyed a multi-course banquet made with fresh, seasonal ingredients grown at Cyrenians’ organic Green Skills Centre.
Farm produce
In the weeks leading up to the event, Executive Chef Dominik Kawalec and Hospitality Manager Jason Rogers visited the farm to hand-select the produce for the evening’s menu and welcome drinks.
Stewart Munro, Operations Manager at SQ was Master of Ceremonies, and told the audience that the supper soiree was about more than great food and hospitality it was about people coming together for purpose.
The immersive event highlighted the realities of homelessness through powerful storytelling and an interactive dining journey, inspired by the charity’s award-winning supper club concept.
Surgeons Quarter provided full event support, covering catering, staffing, drinks, marketing, room hire and audio-visual services free of charge. The venue’s contribution totalled more than £14,000, ensuring that money on the night could go directly to supporting those most in need.
Scott Mitchell, Managing Director at Surgeons Quarter, said: “Hosting the Supper Soirée was a real privilege, not just as a hospitality event, but as a meaningful act of community. “By covering key event costs, we were proud to ensure that as much of the evening’s proceeds as possible could support Cyrenians’ vital work on the frontlines of homelessness.”
“We are constantly looking for ways to deliver purpose through what we do, and this event was a fantastic showcase of how food, storytelling and partnership can come together to drive social impact.”
Each course of the bespoke menu, curated by Surgeon Quarter’s Executive Chef Dominik Kawalec and Cyrenains Food Education Manager, Sue O’Neill-Berest, reflected a key stage in Cyrenians’ journey with those they support from prevention and crisis response to rebuilding lives and achieving long-term stability.
Brand Ambassador
Sandra Carruthers, Surgeons Quarter Brand Ambassador, said: “This partnership began as a simple conversation between Sophie and me about how hospitality could play a bigger role in supporting our communities and to see it come to life in such a meaningful way has been incredible.
“The Supper Soirée is just the beginning. We’re excited to build on this collaboration with Cyrenians and explore new ways to combine our people, venues and purpose to make a real and lasting difference.”
Guests were also served a specially created welcome drink on arrival and took part in activities designed to spark conversation, raise funds, and offer insight into the often-unseen aspects of homelessness.
The event builds on years of partnership between Cyrenians and Surgeons Quarter, whose previous collaborations have included awareness campaigns, composting initiatives and support through venues such as Café 1505.
Cyrenians
Sophie Bell, Fundraising Manager at Cyrenians, said: “We’ve always believed in the power of food to bring people together, to break down barriers, share stories, and build understanding. These principles are a crucial part of Cyrenians efforts to prevent homelessness in Edinburgh, and beyond.
“This event took that ethos and elevated it, showing that community-led fundraising doesn’t have to be grand to be impactful, it just has to be genuine.
“We’re incredibly grateful to Surgeons Quarter for believing in this concept and helping us bring it to life at scale. Their financial backing played a crucial role in making the evening a success, both logistically and in terms of fundraising.”
Proceeds from the evening will directly support Cyrenians’ essential services, including family mediation, addiction recovery, food education, and housing support for those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
The Prince Philip Building, one of four historic venues managed by Surgeons Quarter, provided a fitting setting for the night, balancing elegance with intimacy to retain the close-knit spirit that defines Cyrenians’ supper clubs.
Surgeons Quarter, the commercial arm of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, reinvests all profits from its operations into advancing global surgical care. Hosting a community-focused event of this nature reflects its dual commitment to local impact and global purpose.
